Archive for category: fmMMS

fmMMS Chat View Now Available

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fmMMS, our FileMaker solution for sending and receiving MMS (Multimedia Messaging Service) Messages using the Claris FileMaker Platform, now supports the Chat View feature originally introduced with fmSMS back in 2015.

The Chat View interface in fmMMS allows you to view all outgoing and incoming messages for an individual contact, including Message Subject, Body and Media, using a FileMaker Web Viewer. This is a much more graphical interface and easier to understand view than using traditional FileMaker portals.

We recently updated the design of the Chat View in fmSMS and have also used this more modern style, similar to the current iOS Messages app, in fmMMS. You can also send a new message to the contact you are viewing with a single media attachment without having to leave the Chat View screen using the fields at the bottom to enter your message/media attachment.

There were a number of challenges with developing the Chat View that would work with various versions of FileMaker Pro from v16 to v19 on both Mac and Windows, as well as work for local files and hosted files. We experiemented with using “data:text/html” urls, using Base64 to encode/decode the media attachments as well as exporting content to display in the Web Viewer.

In FileMaker Pro 19.3.1 Claris changed Web Viewers to use the Microsoft Edge (Chromium) engine instead of the Internet Explorer engine, which also presented a number of challenges. There is a security restriction in Edge that prevents web pages from accessing the file system to show local files when using “data:text/html” urls. The solution that we have used for the first release of the Chat View feature involves exporting a .html file to the FileMaker temp folder, along with any media attachments in container fields, and displaying this in the Web Viewer.

For this first release of the Chat View we are supporting Mac, Windows and iOS users. We’re currently working on an update for FileMaker Pro v19 users that will use the Execute FileMaker Data API script step to generate the html content and hopefully bypass the need to export the media attachments from the container fields. We are also working on support for FileMaker WebDirect users. We are also looking into ways that we can have the Chat View update dynamically without having to use OnTimer Scripts that are constantly running in the background attached to a FileMaker window. We’re also looking into WebSockets to see if we can have that push updates to the web viewer.

Presentation to Atlanta FileMaker FileMaker Developers Group Recording Now Available

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I recently did a presentation to the Atlanta FileMaker FileMaker Developers Group for their October 2021 meeting. The topic of my presentation was integrating the FileMaker Platform with the DocuSign eSignature platform using our fmESignature Link (DocuSign Edition) solution.

The recording is now available and you can watch it below or directly on YouTube.

fmESignature Link allows you to automate the management of electronic document signing: you can generate and send agreements to be signed electronically using your familiar FileMaker interface and download the completed agreements back into FileMaker.

I also did a brief demonstration of how you can send and receive MMS messages using the FileMaker Platform and our fmMMS solution.

fmMMS Now Supports RingCentral MMS Gateway

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fmMMS, our FileMaker solution that lets you send and receive MMS messages from the FileMaker Platform, has just been updated to include support for the RingCentral MMS Gateway based in the USA. You can send and receive MMS messages internationally with fmMMS and RingCentral.

You can download a trial version of fmMMS to test with the RingCentral MMS Gateway from here. You can also sign up for a trial account with RingCentral. More information on using the RingCentral Gateway with fmMMS is available on our support site.

fmSMS Chat View Update

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In a recent update to fmSMS we updated the appearance of the Chat View Web Viewer to a more current iOS iMessage style as it was starting to look a bit dated. We first introduced the Chat View back in July 2015 to show you the sent and received messages for an individual Contact in a much more graphical interface compared to a traditional FileMaker view using portals.

We’ve updated from the original look here:

to the following which represents a more modern style similar to the current iOS Messages app:

We find this a big improvement when viewing a conversation with a single Contact – you can see all the outgoing and incoming messages in a thread as they are sorted by timestamp and quickly send a new message to the Contact from this window. By comparison the traditional view of the SMS History for a Contact with 2 portals for the sent and received messages looks like this:

The fmSMS Chat View works in a similar way to the recently released JavaScript add-ons and with new features in the FileMaker 19 Platform such as the JavaScript integration with web viewers and the Execute FileMaker Data API script step we’re looking into ways that we can have the Chat View update dynamically without having to use OnTimer Scripts that are constantly running in the background attached to a FileMaker window. We’re also looking into WebSockets to see if we can have that push updates to the web viewer.

We are also bringing the Chat View to fmMMS, our FileMaker solution for sending and receiving MMS (Multimedia Messaging Service) Messages using the Claris FileMaker Platform. The fmMMS Chat View has a few more challenges as we need to incorporate the display of any images that were sent or received using fmMMS, as well as any text (body and subject). We plan to include this in the next update to fmMMS which will be a free update for all existing customers.

fmMMS Now Supports MessageBird MMS Gateway

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fmMMS, our FileMaker solution that lets you send and receive MMS messages from the FileMaker Platform, has just been updated to include support for the MessageBird MMS Gateway based in the USA. You can send and receive MMS messages in the United States and Canada with fmMMS and MessageBird.

You can download a trial version of fmMMS to test with the MessageBird MMS Gateway from here. You can also sign up for a trial account with MessageBird. More information on using the MessageBird Gateway with fmMMS is available on our support site.

fmMMS Now Supports Cellcast MMS Gateway

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fmMMS, our FileMaker solution that lets you send and receive MMS messages from the FileMaker Platform, has just been updated to include support for the Cellcast MMS Gateway based in Australia. With fmMMS and Cellcast you can send MMS messages to Australian numbers.

You can download a trial version of fmMMS to test with the Cellcast MMS Gateway from here. You can also sign up for a trial account with Cellcast. More information on using the Cellcast Gateway with fmMMS is available on our support site.

fmMMS Now Supports CDYNE MMS Gateway

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fmMMS, our FileMaker solution that lets you send and receive MMS messages from the FileMaker Platform, has just been updated to include support for the CDYNE MMS Gateway based in the USA. You can send and receive MMS messages in the United States and Canada with fmMMS and CDYNE.

You can download a trial version of fmMMS to test with the CDYNE MMS Gateway from here. You can also sign up for a trial account with CDYNE. More information on using the CDYNE Gateway with fmMMS is available on our support site.

fmMMS Now Supports Plivo MMS Gateway

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fmMMS, our FileMaker solution that lets you send and receive MMS messages from the FileMaker Platform, has just been updated to include support for the Plivo MMS Gateway based in the USA. You can send and receive MMS messages in the United States and Canada with fmMMS and Plivo.

You can download a trial version of fmMMS to test with the Plivo MMS Gateway from here. You can also sign up for a trial account with Plivo. More information on using the Plivo Gateway with fmMMS is available on our support site.

fmMMS Now Supports SMS Global MMS Gateway

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fmMMS, our FileMaker solution that lets you send and receive MMS messages from the FileMaker Platform, has just been updated to include support for the SMS Global MMS Gateway based in Australia.

You can download a trial version of fmMMS to test with the SMS Global MMS Gateway from here. You can also sign up for a trial account with SMS Global and receive 25 free test credits. More information on using the SMS Global Gateway with fmMMS is available on our support site.

Databuzz releases fmMMS – Send and Receive MMS Messages from the Claris FileMaker Platform

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Sydney, Australia – September 15, 2020 – Databuzz today announced fmMMS, a FileMaker solution that lets you send and receive MMS messages from the FileMaker Platform.

fmMMS allows you to send MMS (Multimedia Messaging Service) messages from the FileMaker Platform to almost any mobile phone in the world via one of the supported MMS Gateways, reaching over 1,000 mobile networks in more than 220 countries. MMS allows you to add any kind of multimedia content to your messages, such as images, QR codes, audio and video which are sent directly to the recipient’s phone.

MMS is perfect for sending promotional messages about new products or services, coupons or special offers, special event invitations, tickets (including QR codes) and real estate property information. With MMS you get the benefits of SMS such as high open rates compared to email, with the ability to add multimedia content to your messages, add a Subject line to act like a message headline and increase the amount of text you can send. MMS messages appear more visually appealing to the recipient and can lead to higher engagement with your customers*.

fmMMS features include:

  • works with FileMaker Pro 16 or later
  • uses all native FileMaker scripts and functions (no plug-ins required)
  • completely unlocked for you to integrate into your own FileMaker solution
  • can be hosted by FileMaker Pro or FileMaker Server 
  • works with Macintosh and Windows

“We’ve been helping customers integrate SMS with their FileMaker solutions for over 20 years and have had many requests for MMS integration,” said Andrew Duncan, CEO of Databuzz. “We’ve made fmMMS as easy to use and integrate as fmSMS – we can’t wait to see how our customers use fmMMS.”

fmMMS supports multiple MMS Gateways internationally and supports the following features*:

  • Send single and bulk MMS messages (messages are typically delivered in under 15 seconds)
  • 2 Way MMS – allow recipients to reply to messages and have them appear in fmMMS
  • Works with multiple MMS Gateway providers internationally
  • Delayed Delivery – send a message now for delivery at a future time
  • Delivery Receipts – track the status of sent messages
  • Message Logging – track the history of all sent messages
  • Message templates – create an unlimited number of pro forma templates
  • Send Messages to WhatsApp Users using the Twilio API for WhatsApp
  • Support for Webhooks: have incoming messages and delivery status updates pushed to your FileMaker Server automatically

Availability, Pricing, and Compatibility

fmMMS is available in a number of licenses: Company, Product (Vertical Solution) and Developer. It is available now from the Databuzz website at https://www.databuzz.com.au/fmmms/. Company Licenses start at AUD $695.00. fmMMS requires FileMaker Pro v16 or later and an account with one of the supported MMS Gateways.

* Not all MMS Gateways support all features of fmMMS. Some features might incur additional charges by your selected MMS Gateway. Webhooks require hosting by FileMaker Server and the Data API or Custom Web Publishing using the PHP API and a static IP address, or a web server running PHP.

Media/Customer Contact:

Andrew Duncan

Phone: +61 418 468 103

sales@databuzz.com.au

About Databuzz: Databuzz is a long-standing member of the FileMaker Business Alliance. We have been developing and deploying FileMaker solutions for clients in Australia and internationally since 1999. Our clients are individuals, small-medium businesses, government agencies and multi-national corporations. Databuzz was founded by Andrew Duncan, a Certified FileMaker 18 Developer. For more information please visit our website at https://www.databuzz.com.au.

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